Château de Vilvert

“The current Château de Vilvert you see before you wasn’t always here,” the guide began, drawing the group closer with a wave of their hand. “Oh no, what we see now is a relatively new addition to the landscape, built around 1880.” The Château de Vilvert stood proudly against a backdrop of vibrant green lawns, a testament to its enduring presence. “But don’t let its youthful appearance fool you, its story is deeply intertwined with the history of this region.” The guide pointed towards a barely visible path behind the Château. “Imagine if you will, a time when this land was part of the fiefdom of Montcel, absorbed into the seigneurie of Jouy in the late 16th century.” A murmur rippled through the group as they tried to reconcile the present-day serenity with the whispers of its past. “Back then, instead of this grand Château, a modest bourgeois house and a bustling mill stood on these grounds – the ‘Moulin du Rat’ as it was known.” The guide paused, letting the image sink in. “Over time, the property expanded, consuming the neighboring lands of Grand and Petit Vilvert, stretching all the way to Vauboyen. Then, in 1867, the Mallet family, descendants of the famous Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf – yes, the toile de Jouy Oberkampf – took ownership.” “It was Pierre-Philippe Cabrol de Moutée, another descendant of Oberkampf, who decided to demolish the old structures and erect the current elegant Château in the 1880s. But this Château has seen more than just peaceful days.” The guide’s voice lowered. “During the Second World War, it was transformed into a hospital, tending to soldiers wounded during the Liberation of Paris, especially those from Leclerc’s division.” Today, while the Château de Vilvert is no longer open to the public, serving as a research center for INRAE, its history continues to resonate through its stately presence.